Local artist’s work on display through April 25 in Wilmington

The Delaware Division of the Arts announced an exhibition of paintings by Cape Region artist J.F. Arsenault will be on display through Friday, April 25, in its Mezzanine Gallery in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French St., Wilmington.

Myth, Muse & Monster (and Other Nonsensical Oddities) comprises a fantastical collection of Arsenault’s digital paintings. His vivid, surreal work conjures a world populated by sentient chimeras, mythological figures, curious muses and creatures of absurdity. Each piece beckons the viewer to step into the unknown. Some invite storytelling, others defy interpretation and a few revel in delightful nonsense. 

Exhibition pieces draw from Arsenault’s deep interest in folklore and visual storytelling. Influenced by the Brandywine School’s Howard Pyle and Frank Schoonover, and artists like Frank Frazetta, Edmund Dulac and Gustave Moreau, Arsenault fuses classical influences with a playful, dreamlike sensibility.

“My work is rooted in storytelling,” said Arsenault. “I pull from myth, legend and history to create images that evoke curiosity and wonder. Inspired by artists like Pyle and Dulac, I explore themes of mythology, symbolism and the surreal, blending tradition with discovery. Each painting takes on a life of its own, and I hope viewers are transported into worlds where imagination reigns.”

Arsenault grew up in the woods, along the beaches and in the towns of Rehoboth, Lewes and Dewey Beach. Encouraged from an early age by his parents and older brother, he developed a fascination with monsters, comic books, nature, and all things weird and mysterious. His artistic path began with a childhood introduction to “The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood,” illustrated by Delaware native Howard Pyle.

Arsenault studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and spent years working in the design field before returning to his fine art roots. He deepened his craft at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art and now continues his studies online with The Visual Arts Passage. His recent work focuses on digital painting, combining classical composition with evolving tools and techniques.

Since returning to Delaware in 2010, Arsenault has worked with Dogfish Head Brewery on numerous creative projects, and he continues to produce personal and commissioned artwork. He is also an active collaborator with the Developing Artist Collaboration.

To learn more, go to arts.delaware.gov/mezzanine-gallery.